Retreat then Restore : Revisiting the Past Chapter 4: Taking Her Home, a holby city fanfic

Retreat then Restore...Revisiting the Past

She went away, and now she's back...but how does she explain the fact that she wasn't dead, and didn't kill herself?

I own nothing. This song is Electric Storm by Delta Goodrem, which I don't own either.

Driving to Diane's place, everything was silent apart from the radio, which played quietly in the background.

Fighting for no reward
Cold in the rain I'm tossing and turning your words ever burning my heart
Love's an electric storm of pleasure and pain where thunder and lightening are crashing And
Striking us down

Two people shipwrecked
Stranded alone
Praying for dry land to save our souls
Hurricane season just knocked us down
Emotional suicides running the ground

I won't give up never never
I won't be struck by the weather
Hold on when the wind's so strong
Tell me how can we find our way home in love's electric storm

Feels like our last chance to get out alive
Will we survive this treacherous night
Predators waiting circling around
Sky full of fireworks burn without sound

I won't give up never never
I won't be struck by the weather
Hold on when the wind's so strong
Tell me how can we find our way home in loves electric storm

Have we never been stronger?
Have we never been tighter?
But we're close to the wire again
Have we never been safer?

I won't give up never never
I won't be struck by the weather
Hold on when the wind's so strong
Tell me how can we find our way home
Tell me how can we find our way home
In love's electric storm

As the song played, Ric couldn't help but think about everything Diane had been through, all of the trauma, and she found her way home. To him. But then her words earlier burnt a hole in his heart.

'Thanks Ric, that would be lovely,' she said gratefully. 'You really are one of the best friends I'll ever have.'

Friends? Friends? After everything they had been through? After everything she went through to get him to notice her? After Ghana? After the bond they shared as soul mates?

He knew he'd never done right by Diane, he was sure of it. He didn't deserve her and he knew it. But had those feelings he knew she possessed completely disappeared? He hoped that they hadn't, because feelings that fierce, and with that much love and passion, they couldn't, no, shouldn't be allowed to fade into the background and become nothing.

His thoughts were broken by Diane saying, 'Ric? You've taken a wrong turning.'

'Oh, right,' he said, making a U-Turn and going down the right road.

'So whereabouts is this house of yours then?' he asked with a warm smile.

'It's the block of flats on Hendon Street,' said Diane quietly.

'Ohhh,' said Ric gently. 'You should've come straight to me. You and Cassie are welcome anytime.'

'I know,' she replied with a yawn. 'But I needed some independence. Even if it is in a grotty, hole in the wall, ground-floor flat in the worst part of town. We'll be fine, it just needs decorating.'

'I'll come and help you one day,' said Ric with a smile.

'You don't have to worry about us Ric,' said Diane quietly.

'Well I do, and will carry on doing so,' he said defiantly. 'I care very much about the two of you. I want you to be safe.'

Not replying and attempting to change the subject, she said, 'It's a left over there, then we'll be here.'

'Okay,' he replied softly, not wanting to push her.

He gently pulled the car over by the block of flats, and got out of the car, walking to Diane's side door and opening it, beckoning for her to come out.

'Thank you,' she said gently, getting out and moving to the back door to get Cassie out.

'Let's get you inside,' said Ric, wrapping his arm around Diane's waist.